Spontaneous resolution of a dissection of the descending aorta after medical treatment with a beta blocker and a calcium antagonist.

A 58 year old man experienced an attack of squeezing chest pain. A contrast enhanced computed tomographic scan showed acute dissection of the descending aorta. Treatment with metoprolol and nicardipine kept his blood pressure below 130/90 mm Hg while he was supine at rest and after walking. Serial contrast enhanced computed tomographic scans showed opacification of the false lumen (which was not opacified initially) on the 42nd day; moderate regression of the false lumen on the 67th day, and resolution of the false lumen on the 266th day. This is the first in vivo demonstration of spontaneous resolution of aortic dissection detected by serial contrast enhanced computed tomographic scans.